'Archer' 2.02 'A Going Concern' Review

This week's Archer begins with our hero confronting Malory about the mind-control chip implanted in his brain last season by the Russians. "You think he wanted to mind-control you into loving him?" she asks. "You tell me, that's your specialty," he retorts. In the heat of their argument, she tells him that she's selling ISIS to ODIN now that she's broke thanks to a Ponzi scheme. Oh, snap.

It comes out quickly that ODIN is interested in buying ISIS only because Len Trexler (Jeffrey Tambor) wants to sleep with Malory. While everyone panics because they know they're about to be fired (and Cheryl/Carol realizes she's been on LSD awhile now), Archer comes up with a great plan: use the mind-control chip, put it into Trexler's brain, and make him both dump Malory and back out of the deal. This requires him breaking into Malory's desk. I don't know which is worse: the fact that the desk is wired with C4 or that this leads him to discover his mother's vibrator. "There's not enough liquor and therapy in the world to undo that," he admits. I was drinking at the time he said that, and I nearly spit Mountain Dew across my keyboard.

The only person who's not entirely panicking is Lana, who's been promised Malory's job by Barry, as long as she sleeps with him. To ensure the deal goes through and he finally gets some, Barry (still talking to the voices in his head) has brought along a few armed friends. This only means the ISIS team has to use Pam's office and a ton of sexual harrassment dolls to come up with a plan to implant the mind-control chip and dispatch the goons. This would go better if Krieger didn't accidentally dose himself with LSD in the middle of the meeting. Then again, Pam's smoking a joint the whole time, so everyone's a little messed up. This includes the ODIN lackeys, who also get to enjoy the effects of lysergic acid diethylamide. It's almost a promo for the practical uses of illegal drugs. I can only imagine how much weirder the episode would have been if we actually saw inside Krieger's head while he was high on LSD and doing brain surgery. After all, notice that his office contains boxes labeled "acid" and "beer."

Archer's plan turns Trexler into a bunny-loving, produce addict who backs out on the sale of ISIS. It doesn't take long for Malory to finger him as the guilty party, and know exactly what he did. Yet just when you think everything's gone well, she reveals that she's sold the dry cleaners to a loan shark and pimp. Ah, Archer. You always have just one more shocking, hilarious surprise right around the corner, and that's why I love you. You both bewilder and amaze me every week.

For more Archer, check out the show category at my blog, DigitalAirwaves.net.

Photo Credits: Fox Broadcasting

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